Monday, April 24, 2006

Concannon Petite Sirah 2003

Price: $11.49 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: a friend who likes petite sirahs
Tasting notes: This petit sirah may be as good as Bogle but costs a few dollars more. It has a bold, dark fruity flavor, with hints of blueberry and raisin. It has some tartness to it, but a smooth finish. We will definitely get this wine again.
Rating: 7.5/10

Monday, April 17, 2006

Laboure Roi Bourgogne Rouge Maximum Pinot Noir 2003

Price: $14.99 (@ The Wine Gallery)
Recommended by: The Wine Jukebox tasting carousel of happiness

Tasting notes: This is a bright, fruity smooth wine (the winemaker says "an aroma of mixed red berry fruit dominated by strawberries and black currants"). The mixed berries dominate the palate. We only drank one bottle, but we're sure that the third bottle would taste just as smooth and delicious. One of the better pinots we've had.
Rating: 7/10

Monday, April 10, 2006

Conte Di Bregonzo Amarone della Valpolicella 2002

Price: $12.99 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: the price!
Tasting notes: This wine was a wonderful surprise. Amarones usually run over $30, but we found this one at TJ's for under $15. We expected little but were amazed to find so much flavor in this bottle. It has a rich, long taste dominated by raisins, dates, and cherries. The alcohol content is high but not overpowering. We will be getting another bottle of this soon!
Rating: 8/10

(addendum: Quaffability had the best line about this wine: "
Despite its complexity, this is definitely a good beginners wine, a good wine for white drinkers looking to go red, and a great seduction wine, though you run the risk of draining the bottle, and maybe another, and going to sleep before anything interesting happens.")